PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — UNFAIR and uncalled for.
This is how Speaker Prospero Nograles described the statement of former President Corazon Aquino against the lawmakers’ move of pushing for Charter change.
In a text message, Nograles said the House of Representatives made a democratic and transparent process in approving House Resolution 1109 or the bill seeking to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly for the purpose of amending the Constitution.
“Shameless abuse of power? Personally, we made a democratic and transparent collective decision by voting in plenary,” Nograles said.
In a statement read at the anti-Cha-cha rally in Makati Wednesday, Aquino denounced the shameful abuse of power that seeks to destroy the sacred laws.
“Over the years, I have learned to endure pain and sadness. But perhaps, there is nothing that causes me greater pain than to see our people betrayed again and again by those they have elected to lead and serve them,” Aquino said.
But according to Nograles, it was the administration of Aquino that committed the “shameful abuse of power.”
“Personally I think that the 1986 revolutionary government during the Presidency of Cory where there was absolutely no Constitution, was really the best example of raw unbridled and uncontrolled ‘power’ to the max,” Nograles said.
“That was a revolutionary government and the constitution was made by those she appointed,” he added.
Nograles said that he will first consult the members of the House of Representatives and Senate on what will be the next step.
However, the House leader made it clear that the Constituent Assembly will not be convened before the Supreme Court rules on the issue.
“To convene is an option but not my own decision. It depends on collective decision after consultation,” he said.